Is anyone doing anything different in their daily routine or taking measures to prevent coming into contact with Swine Flu?  Is anyone thinking about it or concerned about contracting it?

I didn't want to go out to dinner tonight out of caution.  I'd like to limit how much we go out until this starts to die down some.  However, my husband thinks that we should stick to our normal activities and that I'm worrying needlessly.  Although, I wouldn't say that I'm worried, just cautious.  What do you all think?

No and no. Things are never as bad as the media hypes them up to be. But many companies profit from health scares, so it's not surprising that the media is milking it for all it's worth.

Ironically, even though the company for which I work is one that would benefit financially from hypochondriac customers, our safety department has issued an electronic pamphlet (in the form of our required monthly safety test) that details what the swine flu is, its impact on society, symptoms, treatment, prevention and how exactly it spreads.
Being informed prevents unnecessary freak-outs. If anyone's interested in obtaining the info in our electronic pamphlet/test or would even like a copy, feel free to PM me and I'll e-mail it to you. :)

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Things are never as bad as the media hypes them up to be.

That's my problem, too much tv.  Everytime I turn on the tv, they're taking about it.


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hypochondriac

My other problem. :P ::)


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If anyone's interested in obtaining the info in our electronic pamphlet/test or would even like a copy, feel free to PM me and I'll e-mail it to you.

Thanks for the offer but I won't bother you for it.  There's lots of info online but even still, I'd felt a bit aprehensive about going out so much.  I was just wondering if anyone else was feeling the same.

How true about the media!!  
Having MS,I have to be especially careful not to get sick.  Although I rarely get sick, other than the MS symptoms that are annoying and aggravating,the flu can cause the immune system to be activated,so to speak.  That's something that is really bad for people with MS or that have diseases that need to make sure their immune system isn't working overtime to fight any infections. So I'd say I'm not doing anything other than normal.  I have always washed my hands often.

I read in the Chicago Tribune yesterday that this virus is considerably less virulent and less contagious than it was previously.  I agree that the media is certainly milking the issue.  Schools are closing in the Chicago area because of this.  It seems that ever since 9/11, the media panics over everything.  (And the media bigwigs are wondering why they are losing viewership and readership.  But that's a whole other discussion.)  We have got to get over scaring ourselves silly.

"Never panic unless you're absolutely sure you should panic. If you're sure you should panic then panic and panic well."  ;) ;D

Yes, as Curlgirl clearly illustrates, it's far better to be informed of the risks (as people with MS or any kind of preexisting health problem must be) than to panic blindly.

But mass hysteria has been around way longer than 9/11. Remember the Y2K "scare"? Or the infamous 1938 radio broadcasting of War Of The Worlds?
   
Some people are just inclined to panic about everything, whether or not the threat is real and whether or not it will affect them. Usually because they have little else going on in their lives and are desperate for something to latch onto ~or~ because they simply don't bother to get the facts. Either way, it's easier to freak out than to actually learn something, isnt it? Unfortunately, that doesn't benefit anyone.

Get the facts and check your sources.

Being informed is important.  I think that if you are a healthy person without immune system issues, you should not have to panic.  Just practice good hygiene (wash your hands, etc), keep your self healthy with plenty of sleep and good nutrition, and avoid contact with anyone who appears ill.

Curlgirl, you do have special circumstances with your MS.  I hope you keep healthy and don't have to worry about this flu scare.

I'm not doing anything different.  Hub's at work, boys are in school and kindergarten, I've gone out and shopping a number of times and I'm harrassing my county/council for a meeting!  I'm just paying attention to the news and the guidelines we're given there and on the official health and something site from the government.

We've been using hand sanitzer when out in public.  I carry one in my hand bag and Don's got some in his truck.  It's the most that can be done.  Panicking makes everything worst.  I recall when my area was hit with SARS.  People were really scared, so was I when the flipping mail man came to the door with a sergical mask on his face.  >:(

My daughter, the medical assistant   8-)  tells me there's no need to panic; that this strain of flu is detectible by normal means and *treatable* with Tamiflu (sp?), the same treatment for other flu(s).  Basically, unless your immune system is compromised, you should not have to take extraordinary measures.  Go about your normal everyday lives.

Thanks,BB.  Yes, I always take extra special precautions,it's become second nature!